There have been two film versions as of this date—the first being the first directorial effort of John Wayne (who also starred), the second being made by Touchstone Pictures (Disney incognito at the time) in 2004 and starring Billy Bob Thornton as Crockett. This page is about both of them.

This film contains examples of:

And Now You Must Marry Me: Emil tries to force Flaca into marriage with him so he can legally own her land. Thankfully he's killed before he can force her to go through with it.

Aluminum Christmas Trees: One of Santa Anna's officers wrote an account of the siege that ended with Crockett and several others brought before Santa Anna and ultimately sabered to death.

Artistic License – History: The Wayne film contains numerous historical inaccuracies. It depicts all the Alamo defenders as white men, while in real life a number of them were Hispanic. It shows the Mexican army assaulting the Alamo twice before it falls, while it only took one assault in real life. The real life final battle for the Alamo took place at 5 in the morning when it was still dark out, but the movie shows the assault happening in broad daylight. Jim Bowie is depicted as taking an active role in the Alamo's defense, while in real life he was so ill he could barely stand by the time the battle started. Also in the Wayne version, it states Fannin and his troops failed to reinforce the Alamo because they were ambushed and murdered. In real life, the attack and mass murder of Fannin's troops didn't happen until after the Alamo battle.

Back-to-Back Badasses: In the Wayne version, Crockett and Bowie first team-up to fight off a bunch of hired thugs sent by Emil Sande, a corrupt and greedy San Antonio businessman.

Crockett: Well thanks friend! (gestures too the two men Bowie has firmly in a head-lock) If you don't insist on having those two to yourself I'll give you a hand?

Bowie: My pleasure friend. (Crockett then renders both men out cold with Bowie's knife)

Badass Boast: The Tennesseans did this a lot in the John Wayne version, and they had the balls to back up their claims.

Big Freaking Gun: The 18-pounder cannon at the Alamo was designed to take on ships. The defenders load it with nails and scrap iron and use it to mow down swaths of Mexican infantry.

Casual Danger Dialogue: One scene in the John Wayne film. After Crockett's encounter with Emil Sande, he's accosted by some of Sande's men. Bowie decided to help Crockett and he and Crockett become acquainted during the fight.

Living Legend: There's two among the Alamo defenders: Davy Crockett was a well-known frontiersman, sharpshooter, and Congressman. Jim Bowie had survived an infamous brawl known as the Sandbar Fight where he took on three other men with only his knife to defend himself.

In real life, it was even worse. Though his death was less gruesome (the rebels simply shot him), the Texan commander in charge of the men who killed him actually begged for them to spare his life, only for the bloodthirsty rebels to ignore him. At least he got a decent burial, and the Texans later admitted that they shouldn't have killed him.

In Wayne's film, Santa Anna is heavily implied to be this, making it a point to allow all civilians to leave before the attack—and then ordering his men to salute Mrs. Dickinson in the end.

Oh Crap!: No one ever says so out loud but, you can see it on the faces of the defenders fairly often.

Notably, Travis and Crockett's reactions in the 2004 film: Travis, when he looks upon the Mexicans surrounding San Antonio de Bexar for the first time, and Crockett, as he stops playing his violin when he hears the Mexican troops approaching the Alamo just before the final attack.

One Sided Battle: Only a few hundred men defend the Alamo versus over a thousand Mexicans. The defenders hold out well, until they're overwhelmed in final battle during the climax.

Only a Flesh Wound: Smitty tries to convince everyone (including a cute little lady that's very concerned for him) that the wound he has is nothing serious. Then Beekeeper goes and pours Whisky on it!

The Spock: Travis, the intellectual and well-educated leader trying to do what's right.

The McCoy: Bowie, the irrepressible, hotheaded, complete opposite of Travis.

The Kirk: Crockett, well-liked by both men, and acts as a mediator between the two.

Roaring Rampage of Revenge: The Battle of San Jacinto is this in the 2004 version, for both the Alamo and the Battle of Goliad that happened earlier. Until one Mexican general formally surrendered, the battle might have been called a massacre.

Rousing Speech: Sam Houston gives one prior to the battle of San Jacinto in the 2004 film.

Gen. Sam Houston: You will remember this battle! You will remember each minute of it! Each second! 'Til the day that you die! That is for tomorrow, gentlemen! For today... REMEMBER THE ALAMO!

Taking You with Me: In the Wayne version, all three leading men make an effort to take as many of the enemy with them as they go.

We Have Reserves: In the 2004 version, Santa Anna says to an underling concerned about casualties that he shouldn't worry because soldiers are nothing but "so many chickens".

Worthy Opponent: Surprisingly, the Mexican army (though not Santa Anna himself) gets this treatment in Wayne's Alamo. One scene has two of Crockett's Tennesseans admitting they admire the courage of the Mexicans assaulting the Alamo, praising them as "fighting men." (This reaches a high point when the boys take note of the Mexican's dignified treatment of their dead.) The Mexicans saluting Mrs. Dickinson and other survivors at the end suggests the feeling is mutual.

Even Santa Anna is portrayed in Wayne's film as something of a Noble Demon, honorably allowing all civilians enough time to leave the area safely before the attack begins.

Zerg Rush: Santa Anna's entire strategy in the final assault is this. It works, but there are multiple shots wide shots that show how heavy a price the Mexicans paid just getting in. Truth in Television in that Santa Anna is regarded as a General Failure by many historians, so the poor performance of the strategy is no surprise.

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